Chiropractic table



March 24, 1925.

R. H. HARRIS CHIROPRACTIC TABLE Filed Nov. 5, 1923 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

March 24, 1925. 1,530,119

- R- H. HARRIS CHIROPRACTIC TABLE File'd Nov. 5, 192.3 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

7?. li flan z's MM ATTORNEY.

March 24, 1925.

R. H. HARRIS GHIROPRACTIC TABLE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 3; 19 .3

I N VEN TOR.

3.26! flu fi'z'g A TORNEY.

March 24, 1925.

R. 'H. HARRIS CHIROPRACTIC TABLE Filed Nov. 5, 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 I N VEN TOR.

- 3% Harris ATTORNEY.

R. H. HARRIS CHIROPRACTIC TABLE March 24, i925.

Filed Nov. 5. 1923 6 Sheetsfiheet 5 ATTORNEY? March 24. 1925. R. H. HARRIS CHIROPRACTIC TABLE File d Nov. 5, 192.3

6 Sheets-5hee 6 ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 24, 1925.

UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE.

onner 1a- HARRIS, or ALBANY, onneon.

onriiornaorro TABLE,

Application filed November 3, 1923. Serial No. 672,563.

To all 1071-0921 tmtay concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT H. HARnIs, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Albany, in the county of Linn and State of 5 Oregon, have invented certain new and use tul Improvements in Chiropractic Tables, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. r 10 This invention relates to certain improvements in chiropractic tables and it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improveddevice of this general character which may be readily fiOl ClQCl or comtion to provide a novel and improved device of this general character which may be adjusted or folded in a manner to permit the same to be used with the patient in akneeling position in accordance with the new posture method now being extensively employed by chiropractors.

means being resilient and having associated therewith means for regulating the tension thereof.

vide a novel and improved device of this general character constructed in a manner whereby is eliminated the slipping or tilting of the table when properly placed or ad 50 justed into desired position.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and ar pa-cted, when not in use, to occupy a mini-' Itisalsoan object of the inventimi to erly resist the thrust imposed upon the patient during treatment, said supporting Another object of the invention is to prorangement of the several parts of my improved chiropractic table whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantage ous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth. a 1

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accent panying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in top plan illustrating a table constructed. in accordance .with an embodiment of my invention and in e10 tended or working position;

Figure 2 is an enlarged View in bottom plan of the table as herein disclosed;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the device as herein disclosed and adjusted for use in connection with a bed or the like V Figure 4- is a view in side elevation illustrating the device as herein disclosed adjusted for position to be used in connection I with a patient kneeling and in accordance with the new posture method, a second position of certain of the features being indicated by broken lines;

' I igurc 5 is an enlarged fragn'ientarv view partly in elevation and partly in section illnstrating an adjustable. leg as herein employed; i

Figure v6 is a view in end elevation of the structure as particularly illustrated in Fig i ures 1 and 2; v i i Figure 7 is a View in perspective of one of the bars forsupporting the abdominal pad; Figure 8 is a view in perspective of one of the bars for supporting the chest pad; 7

Figure 9 is an end elevational view of the device as illustrated in Figures" 1 and 2 and opposite to that illustrated in Figure 7 Figure 10 is a view in perspective of one of supporting feet as herein comprised;

Flgure 11 i's a view in perspective of a leg section with which directly eoacts a foot I such as illustrated in Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a view in perspective. of the frame to provide an additional support for the abdominal pad and which coacts with supporting bars such as the one illustrated in Figure 8;

Figure 13 is an elevational View illustrating the device folded or compacted .for transportation Figure 1 1 is a fragmentary View partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating one of the supporting feet in another position;

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line -1515 of Figure- 1 1;

Figure 16 is a view in perspective of the adjustable stop disclosed in Figures 1 1 and 15;

Figure 17 is a fragmentary view in bottom plan illustrating a further embodiment of my invention; v V

Figure '18 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of the structure as il. lustrated in Figure 17;

Figure 19 is a view in perspective, unap-- plied of one of the supporting bars for the head pads;

Figure 20 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating a hand grasp in engagement with an angle bar.

As disclosed in the accompanyingdrawings, H denotes the head supporting'pads, the chest supporting pad and A the abdominal supporting pad.

thereon suitable upholstering 2 whi'ch may be of any preferred material.

The head pads H have secured to the base boards 1 thereof the angle bars 3 extending longitudinally of said pads and said bars 3 at predetermined points spaced longitudinally thereof are connected by the cross strips 4 whereby the pads H are maintained in desired spaced relation. The inner ends of the bars 3 have their depending flanges extended, as at 5, and which extended portions 5 are freely engaged with a cross member (3 herein disclosed as cylindrical in form. The opposite'end portion of the member 6 has secured thereto thelegs 7 preferably disposed in downward divergence one with respect to the other. The legs 7 are preferably tubularso as to have telescopically en-,

gaged therewith an extensible or adjustable leg 8 provided at its outer endwith apad or foot 9 of rubber or kindred material. The leg. 8 is held or locked into desired adjust ment with respect to its associated leg 7 through the medium of the clamping screw 10 threaded through a wall of the leg 7 and having requisite contact with the inserted end portion of the leg 8. 7

Each of the bars '3 and "anadja cent leg? have associated therewith a bracing member M comprising a pair of pivotally connected rigid members 11 and 12, the outer end. portion of the member 11 being pivo'tally connected, as at 14, tothe bar 3 whilethe outer Each of these pads comprises a base board 1 having arranged- 'position, and said extended portion 17 is provided with a laterally disposed lug 18 to engage theadjacent portion of the member 12 whereby said members 11 and 12 are prevented from passing beyond a center when the member M is extended. The lug 18 is preferably received within a recess 19 provided in an adjacent portion of the mem ber 12.

The opposite side portions of the board 1 of the chest pad B has disposed thereacross and secured thereto the angle bars 26 having the depending flanges thereof provided with extensions-21 freely engaged with themember 6. The rear end portions of the angle bars 20 are continued by the bars 21 of material length and disposed on a nedetermined obtuse angle with respcctto the bars 20. The outer or free end portion of each of the bars 21. has pivotally engaged therewith as ct 22, a leg section 23 preferably.

comprising an angle bar,said pivotal connection 22 comprising a transverserod common to bothiset-s of bars 21 andlegs-23. One end portion of the rod 22 is provided with a head a contacting with a leg 23 from without while the opposite end portion of the rod 22 has in threaded engagementtherewith a wingnut 24 or'the like. By proper manipulation of the nut 24: the joints between the bars '21 and legs 23"1nay be loosened to effect the relative swinging adjustment or tightened tojmaintain said bars 21 and legs 23 in desired relative relation.

Associated with each of tlielegs 23 and slidable with relation thereto is a foot 25 provided in its upper portion with 'a'longitudinally disposed slot 26 through which the rod '22 is also disposed whereby the rod 22 also serves to provide means for holding the foot 25 in desired longitudinal adjustment with respect to the leg 23. i The leg 23: at its longitudii'i'al lna rgin al' portion is provided with the flanges/2'1- for contact with the foot 25 to hold said foot 25 against swinging movementwith respect tothe leg The lower portion of the foot 25 is provided partially therealong with a strengthening or reinforcing flange 28 and at its lower end carries a lateral extension 29 to which is adapted to be applied a pad 5300f rubber or kindred material.

Secured to the opposite side portions of the base board 1 of the abdominal support A are the angle bars 31' the forward end portions of said bars being downu' ardly-o1l-- set, as at 32, and continued by-the extension bars The bars 33 are disposed on a of said extension bars 33 is pivotally-connested, as as 34, with a bar and at a. point in relatively close proximity to the end of said bar whereby the pad A is supported for swinging movement in a verticaldirection.

The bars 21 at a predetermined point in-,

wardly of their outer ends are provided with the ears or plates which rotatably support and have disposed therethrough the opposite end portions of the intermediate member 36 comprised in the substantially U-shaped frame S the central portion of which being provided with an offset portion 37. The side arms 38 of the frame S have their free ends freely and slidably engageable from below with the rearportion of the base board 1 of the abdominal pad A so that upon requisite rocking movement of the frame S the rear portion of the pad A may be raised or' lowered in accordance with the requirements of practice and which manipulation of the frame S is readily accomplished through the medium of the offset portion 37 which serves as a hand grasp. The rear swinging movement of the frame S is limited by contact of the side arms 38 with the stop members 39 herein disclosed as suitably secured to the bars 31. V

A leaf spring 40 of substantially a semielliptical type has one end portion freely engaged, as at 41, with the member 6, said spring 40 when the-device is extended for use underlying the chest pad B and par tially underlying the abdominal pad A with the opposite end portion of the spring freel in contact with the base board 1 ofthe pad A or more particularly a wear plate 42 suitably secured to said board 1. s f The rear portion of the chest pad 13 has arranged there-below and disposed transversely thereof a rigid member or strap 43 suitably secured to the base board 1 of said pad and to the bars 20 withlhe central portion of said member or strap offset to provide a substantially U-shaped loop or bracket 44 through which the spring 40 is directed.

Disposed through the intermediate portion of the loop or bracket 44 is a screw 45 adapted to engage the spring 40 from below in a manner whereby the tension of such spring 40 may be varied or regulated as required or entirely released. The free end portion 45 of the screw 45 has its periphery smooth and unobstructed in order to facilitate the raising of said screw for contact with the spring 40. i Interposed between and connecting the lower portions of the legs 7 is a cross bar 46 to maintain said legs in desired assembled relation.

Also associated with each of the legs 7 is a brace C con'iprising two members 47 and 48, the member 47' having one end portion pivotally connected, as at 49, to a bar 2! at a point spaced from but in relatively close proximity at the unction between said The opposite end por-- bar 21 and bar 20. tion of the member 47 is pivotally connected, as at 50, with an end portion of the member 48, theopposite or outer end portion of said member 48 being pivotally connected. as at 51, with a collar 52 suitably positioned upon a leg 7. The pivoted end portion of the member 47 is provided with an extension 53 which overlies the adjacent portion of the member 48 when said members 47 and 48 are extended into working position and said extension 53 is provided at one marginal portion with a laterally disposed lug 54 for coaction with the adjacent marginal portion of the member 48 to prevent said members 47 and 48 passing beyond center or alignment when the brace C is extended for use. The lug 54 is preferably re ceived within a recess 55 provided in the adjacent marginal portion of the mei'nber 48.

The construction of my improved table is such as to permit the same to be readily folded or compacted, when not in use, to facilitate its transportation from one place to anotheras into the home 'or other loos-1 tion whereby a patient may be treated without the necessity of attendants at the oflice of the chiropractor.

The folding of the table is particularly illustrated in Figure 13 of the accompanying drawings wherein it will be noted that the legs 7 are folded to underlie the chest" adjustment the rod 22 may be conveniently employed as a hand grasp whereby the device when folded may be readily carried. The structure of the table is of relative light weight, such weight pre'l'eral'ily not exceeding twenty pounds. a

In Figures 2, 6 and 9, the table is shown in requisite adjustment for full support upon a floor and wherein the pads 30 are directly in contact with the floor, said pads 30 together with the pads 9 serving effectively to prevent slipping.

In Figure 3 is illustratedan adjustment of the various parts of my improved table whereby the same may be supported by a bed or the like and in which instance the legs 23 are upwardly disposed so that the feet 25 may engage the side rail of the bed. By this arrangement the bedridden patient may be readily and conveniently positioned upon the'table for desired treatn'ient and in a manner whereby the lower portion of the body and limbs. may be kept covered.

The bed takes the place ofthe back half of the oliicebench generally employed and inpositioning the patient upon the table very little assistance IS needed. in turning the patient 111 bed or in ilacin the iatlent u )on u I H e the table or in returning such patient to the bed for ad ustment. lVhen the table is employed as illustrated in Figure 8 the tranie S will be adjusted to release the abdominal' ment it is thought that illustration of this adjustment is unnecessary.

In Figure 4, the table is illustrated as adjusted for position for a treatment \under the new posture method and wherein the head pad H is in lowered position-so that I the patient may kneel upon a properly positioned. pad- P or the like and. peri'nit the body to be supported by the pads B andA.

lVhen so used, the pad A serves: as a head support.

It will also bG-ObViOUS that the table can be adjusted otherwise than d sclosed nithe accompanying drawings as the requirements of practice may necessitate.

One of the bars 31 is provided at predetermined points spaced longitudinally there-- of with the outstanding eye members 56 with which is adapted to be engaged a hand grasp 57 of any desiredtype; By this means the devieewhen folded may be carried with its longer dimension horizontally disposed and which is of a special advantage when being transported by a person of comparatively small stature.

hen the device is employed in the manner as illustrated in Figure 3 and it is sometimes desired tovary the spacing of the pad' A. with respect to the bed or kindredsu iqport this adjustment is effected by maintaining each of the feet 25 at a. required angle with respect to the adjacent extensionQl of a bar as illustrated in Figure 14-. The foot is maintained in desired adjustment through the medium of-the slide 58 angular in cross section to overlie both flanges; ofithe extension 21. The side fl'angeot the slide is provided with a longitudinally disposed slot 59 through which is disposed a bolt 60 also directed through the adjacent flange of the extension 21 and engaged with the-bolt 60 is a wing nut 61 whereby the slide 58 is effectively locked in desired position. The outer end of the slide is provided with a notch 62 which receives the portion of the foot 25 adjacent to the slide 58 and above 7 the rod 22 thereby limiting the inward swinging movement ofi the upper portion of the foot 25relative to the eXt-ension21. This particular' adjustment also provides for slight variations in elevation of the pads A and B; 1

In the embodiment o'li' my invention as illustrated'in Figures 17-, 1S and l9 the cross strips 4 are connected to the angle bars 3 and the base boards: 1 of the head supporting pads-ll"areprovided with the loops through; which thestr'ips l arev 'lrcel-y disposed. This particular structure provides means whereby the pads H may be adj usted one with respect to theother and in amanner whereby said pads may be arranged in close contact one with the other to elimmate the spacing t-herebetween.

The depending flange of each; of theb'ars 3 is rovided therealon with the saaced notches or recesses 64., 65 and 66, in which isadapted to be selectivelyengaged a cross rod 67 secured at its; extremities to the brace members-68, each of said brace men'ibers 68 being pivotally engaged, as at 69 with a leg 7. The notches 64 provide means whereby when the rod 67 is engaged therein itniaintains the pads H in adownward inclination; while the notch 66 maintains said pad inclined upwardly. The slot 65 as ,hcreindisclosed, is of a bayonet type and the rod 68 when engaged therein. serves to maintain saidpads substantially horizontal. The formation of this slot also serves: to keep the rod 68 in place when the front end of the device is lifted fromthe floor as when ad justing the length-ofthe. front legs or when the table is being engaged withthe bed or kindred support;

The pads HT together with the bars 3 areadapted to be completely separated from the remainder of the structure and particiiilarly to permlt said. padsH tobe used as kneeling pads when the table is being employed 1n connectionwith the new posture method.. For this reason the dependmg 'lhinge of each of thebars o endwvithan open slot 70 winch is adaptei'l to freely engage the cross member 6'. .To

maintain the bars 3' in proper engagement with. the cross member 6'1 provide a yoke 71' freely engaged with the member 6" at oppositesides of the connection 41 of the spring 40. The yoke 71 is adapted to straddle a pin 72 depending fromtheinner cross is provided atits inner.

vention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim 1. A chiropractic table comprising a supporting structure, head pads hingedly engaged therewith, means for ,maintaining said'pads in raised position, bars hingedly connected to the supporting structure, a chest pad mounted upon said bars, said bars extending on an incline rearwardly of said chest pad, supporting legs associated with the inclined portions of the bars, means for pivotally connecting said legs to said extended portions of the bars and holding said legs against movement with respect thereto, additional bars pivotally connected with the first named bars, an abdominal pad mounted on said last named bars, and means carried by the extended portions of the first named bars for supporting the abdominal pad.

2. A chiropractic table comprising a supporting structure, head pads hingedly engaged therewith, means for maintaining said pads in raised position, bars hingedly connected to the supporting structure, a chest pad mounted upon said bars, said bars extending on an incline rearwardly of said chest pad, supporting legs associated with the inclined portions of the bars, means for pivotally connecting said legs to said extended portions of the bars and holding said legs against movement with respect thereto,

7 additional. bars pivotally connected with the first named bars, an abdominal pad mounted on said last named bars, and a swinging frame carried by the extended portions of the first named bars for coaction with the abdominal pad to support the same.

3. A chiropractic table comprising a sup porting structure, head pads hingedly en gaged therewith, means for maintaining said pads in raised position, bars hingedly connected to the supporting structure, a chest pad mount-ed upon said bars, said bars extending on an incline rearwardly of said chest pad, supporting legs associated with the inclined portions of the bars, means for pivotally connecting said legs to said extended portions of the bars and holding said legs against movement with respect thereto, additional bars pivotally connected with the first named b-ars, an abdominal pad mounted on said last named bars, a swinging frame carried by the extended portions of the first named bars for coaction with the abdominal pad to support the same, and means carried by the pad and coacting with thefram'e for limiting swinging movement ofthe frame in one direction.

4. Achiropractic table comprising a supporting structure, head pads hingedly engaged therewith, 'means for maintaining said pads in raised position, bars 'hingedly connected to the supporting structure, a chest pad mounted upon said bars, said bars extendingon an incline rearwardly of said chest pad, supporting legs associated with the inclined portions of the bars, means for o pivotally connecting said legs to said extended portions of the bars and holding said legs against movement with respectthereto, and a foot coacting with each of the supporting legs, said foot being provided with a lateral extension. a

' 5. A chiropractic table comprising a supporting structure, head pads hingedly engaged therewith, means for maintaining said pads in raised'positiombars hingedly connected to the supporting structure, a chest pad mounted upon said bars, said bars extending on an incline rearwa-rdly of said chest pad, supporting legs associated with the inclined portions of the bars, means for pivotally connecting said legs to said extended portions of the bars and holding said legs against movement with respect thereto, additional bars pivotally connected with the first named bars, an abdominal pad mounted on said last named bars, means carried by the extended portions of the first named bars for supporting the abdominal pad, and a spring 'operatively engaged with the supporting structure "for contact from below with the abdominal pad.

7 6. A chiropractic table comprising a supporting structure, head pads hingedly engaged therewith, means for maintaining said pads in raisedpo'sition, bars hingcdly connected to the supporting structure, a chest pad mounted upon said bars, said bars extending on an incline rearwardly of said chest pad, supporting legs associated with the inclined portions of the bars, means for pivotally connecting said legs to said extended portions of the bars and. holding said le 's against movement with respect there to, additional bars pivotally connected with the first named bars, an abdominal. pad mounted on said last named bars, means carried by hl'lG'GXtGlltlGd portions of the first named barsfor supporting the abdominal pad, a spring operatively engaged with the supporting structure for contact from below with the abdominal pad, andmeans for varying the tension of said sprin 7 A chiropractic table comprising a supporting structure comprising a cross member, connected bars, the extremities of the bars having open slots engageable with the tasting with the depending member to hold cross member of the supporting structure, a the bars against displacement with respect yoke hingedly connected with the cross memto the supporting structure 10 her of the supporting structure, a member In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my 5 depending from the connected bars adaptsignature.

ed to be straddled by the yoke, and a member adjustable through the yoke and con- ROBERT H. HARRIS, 

